US2446727A - Gyroscope construction - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 10, 1948. F P STROTHER 2,446,727

GYROSGOPE CONSTRUCTION Filed sept. 21, 1945 IN VEN TOR. /r/ffl) l". 5770777167? Patented ug. l0, 1948 GYROSCOPE CONSTRUCTION Fred P. Strother, Minneapolis, Minn., assigner to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company,

Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Application September 21, 1945, Serial No. 617,775

This invention relates to an improved gyroscope construction and more particularly to erector or corrector means to be used in conjunction with gyroscopes.

In gyroscope constructions, it is customary to provide some means to maintain the spin axis thereof in a position relative to the earths surface. Such means are commonly referred to as erectors or correctors. An extensively used type of erector comprises an unbalanced member driven about an axis normally perpendicular to the earths surface.

Although the rotation of the unbalanced member about its axis creates a force which causes a slight circular precession of the gyroscope, the spin axis thereof is maintained in a substantially predetermined position if the speed of the unbalanced member is constant throughout each rotation. However, a tilting of the gyroscope moves the axis of the unbalanced member from its vertical plane and the circular path of the unbalanced member then becomes inclined upwardly on one side and downwardly on the other in the direction of its travel. The drive means for the unbalanced member is adapted to rotate it at a uniform and constant rate so long as it moves on a horizontal plane. But when the axis is tilted so that the circular path is uphill on one side and downhill on the other side, the rate of the unbalanced member varies over the different portions of its course. Accordingly, slip friction or other drive means for the unbalanced member must be precisely and accurately adjusted to permit slow movement over the uphill portion and fast movement over the downhill portion of the circular path. rI'his uneven rate of travel must be accurately controlled to cause gyroscopic precession to restore the spin axis of the gyroscope and the axis of the unbalanced member to their predetermined positions without overheating.

Various means have been devised for driving such unbalanced erector members. These range from slip friction arrangements operably connected to the gyroscope driving mechanism to separate power means such as air jets or the like. In each of these drive means careful and frequent service and adjustments are required. The engaging surfaces of the slip friction arrangements tend to glaze, wear or become otherwise impaired whereby operation of the device becomes erratic and unpredictable. in addition to requiring separate means for maintaining a constant operating pressure also requires frequent and highly specialized service and adjustment. Moreover, gyroscope constructions having such driving means for their mechanical erectors also require considerable close tolerance work in their manufacture. In addition to such devices being costly, extremely fragile, and requiring frequent skilled service, some of the ref- The air jet source of power 15 Claims. (Cl. 'Z4-5) quired adjustments and replacements can only be made at the factory or'at bases where special equipment and highly trained personnel are available. Consequently, such structures are often out of service for long periods of time.

In the present construction, the objectionable features above set forth have been totally obviated or materially reduced. The improved device of this invention is capable of functioning accurately and dependably over prolonged periods of time without any servicing or attention whatsoever.

One of the principal objects of importance and advantage of the improved device of this invention resides in the provision of means for utilizing a liquid drive connection between a gyroscope drive means and an unbalanced erector member. l.

Another object of importance 4and advantage is the provision of means for applying a yieldable resistance to retard movement -of the erector member. The yieldable resistance may be varied to control the rate of movement of the erector member.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of means for economically producing a highly e'cient and dependable structure of alimited number of associated parts which readily lend themselves to mass production manufacture.

Still another object of importance is the provision of means for producing a sturdy and rugged device in which upkeep, adjustment, and inspection requirements to insure long and proper functioning of the improved device are reduced to a minimum.

A further object of importance and advantage of the present construction is the provision of means whereby such infrequent inspection, servicing and even replacement of parts as may be required may be made without the aid of special tools or equipment and Without removingY the device from its installed position.

Additional objects of advantage and importance will become apparent as the following detailed description progresses, reference being had t the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is an elevational view of a gyroscope construction which embodies the invention;Y Y

Figure 2 is a top .plan View thereof; Y`

Figure 3 is a slightly enlarged top plan view of the erector portion of the device, the vcover thereof being removed; and f Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on lines lL-fi of Figure 3. y

The reference numeral lil indicates generally a gyroscope which in the embodiment shown is universally mounted in the Cardan ring assembly l2. The Cardan ring assembly l2 may besup'- ported by a frame I4 or by other suitable means. In the embodiment here shown for the purpose of illustration, the gyroscope I includes a housing member l vin `which a rotorpnot shown, is operably pbsitioned.l .The structure v'includes `.a

rotor shaft I6, to which the rotor is fixed, journaled in the housing member. A portion of the.

rotor shaft I6 extends upwardly through .the top of the housing member l5 as is best shownin` Figure 4.

Positioned on the housing 1 lyandlpreferably secured thereto as by Welding or. the .'like,z.is a centrally apertured circular vessel I1. The aperture in the vessel Il is aligned 'with an aperture in the housing member l5 through whichpthe rotor shaft I6 extends., Thus the rotor shaft I6 may extend into lthe vessel I1 as hereinafter more fully described.- The vesselll is provided with a cover i8 whichmay'be .detachably secured thereto as by screws `I5! to .hermetically seal the interior thereof from .atmosphere- Rotatably positionedwithin the vessel .l1 is an unbalanced member 20. The unbalanced member 20. is, ,preferably circular. in plan' and the peripheralsur-face thereof may be-serrated or kerfed 23,1.'as. isnbest shown in Figure-3. The depth and spacing Aof the kerfs 23 may be varied to meet specific requirements as will hereinafter be more fully explained. The rotor shaft yI6 -extends upwardly through an aperture in .the-Tunbalanced `member 20, as isbest shown in Figure 4, to provide an. axis about which the member may be vrotated.

In the preferred construction of the unbalanced member a circular .recess 24 is formed eccentricallyvof rthe member. Thus, the member 2l, :asshownin Figure 3, has alight left side and a heavy :righ-t side. It will be apparent, however, that the .circular recessmay be lotherwise located and the unbalance of the member may .beprovdedinother suitable ways. Projecting radially .from theperipheralzsurface Aof therecess 2li4 for a `purpose hereinafter more fully-to appear ,is an ahutmentmember 25. While only one Yabutment Vmember 25. .is shown .in the illustration, it will be apparent that additional. abutment members may .beemployed Where it: is. so desired.

vFixed to the Vportion-of the shaft I6 extending intothe .recess 24 is an impeller 26. The impeller V26 is. here shownin the .form of ,a paddle which, upon rotation of the shaft I6, functions to .drive a liquid containedin the recess 24- against the abut- :mentimember 25 andlthereby .rotate the unbalanced member 20 aboutits axis., Itis to benoted thataquantity Vof liquid,A indicated by the dotted lines inFigure 4, is .positioned inthe vessel. I1 as wellas, inthe recess 24. A suitablesealing member 2|, which is bestv shown in Figure 4.prevents leakage of the liquid ,through the aperture and along the shaft I 6. It is also to be noted that the liquidwithin the recess 24 functions under the operation of the 4impeller -26 to rotate the unbalancedfvmember 20 and that the liquid within the vesselll by contact with the peripheral face of the unbalanced member 20 functions to retard .rotative movement thereof. The retarding drag .of the liquid on the rotating vmember 42|) may be controlled by the depth of .the lkerfs or the viscosity of the Vliquid in the Vvessel l'l.r It will` also be apparent that the rate of rotation of .the -unbalanced member 2U in its operative movement .may be at an entirely different rate than the .rotational rate of the impeller member 26. Moreoverthis.rate may be varied without changing theratexof the impeller member 26 by increasing or..decreasing the effective driving force exerted l on the unbalanced member 20 or increasing or decreasing the retarding drag on the rotating unbalanced member 20 or both. .The effective driving :force exerted on the unbalanced member 20 may be varied by altering the number, shape or ,V size of the abutment member 25 within the recess 24 or by changing to a liquid having a different viscosity'rating. The retarding drag on the rotating unbalanced member 20 may be varied by changing thedepth and number of serrations 23 .onthe peripheral surface of the unbalanced member or by changing to a liquid having a different Vviscosity rating or both. In each case the speed or rate 'of the unbalanced member 20 will be a function of the size, shape and number of blades and abutments employed, the viscosity of the liquid, the serrations `and the rate of the impeller.

Positioned on the cover I8 and in communication with the interior of the vessel Il is an expansion Abellows 21. The expansion bellows 21 provides a means .for relieving pressure within the vessel l'l such as may be caused by change in atmospheric pressure on the exterior of the device and thereby .prevents leakage of the liquid past the sealing member 2|.

The improved device of this invention is especially adapted to be used in conjunction with airplanes although its use is by .no means limited to such employment. When the device is in operation, as on an airplane, the parts tends to assume the position in which they are shown in Figures 1 and 4. The vessel l1 is horizontal and the spin axis ofthevrotor is vertical as evidenced by the .positionof the shaft I6. With the device operating in this position, the clockwise rotation of the impeller builds up a pressure against the abutment member 25 which rotates the unbalanced member 20 clockwise about its axis at a uniform rate. VThis rate of rotation differs from the rate of rotation of the impeller and is maintained constant and uniform throughout each revolution as long as the spin axis of the rotor is vertical, by the drag or resistance of the liquid in the vessel l1 on the peripheral surface of the unbalanced member 20. The rate of rotation of the unbalanced member may be a few dozen revolutions per minute, while the rate ofthe impeller maybe Vseveral thousand revolutions per minute.

Assume now that the spin axis of the rotor departs from its vertical or predetermined position. Under such conditions, the position of the vessel I1 is .proportionately altered in respect to its normal horizontal plane. This tilt of the vessel l1 now causes the rotational movement of the unbalanced member 2il to be uphill over one portion of its travel and downhill vover another portion thereof. A further result of the tilting -of the vessel l1 causes the movement of the unbalanced member 20 over the uphill portion of its travel .to Vbe retarded and the movement over the downhill portion to be accelerated. Consequently, a substantially stationary force isA exerted .on ,the spin axis of the rotor during the slow .uphill travel of -the unbalanced member 2D whereas a force of equal magnitude is exerted on the spinaxis of the rotor for a very short time during the fastdownhill travel of the unbalanced member 2U; the net difference. constitutes a precessing force ,for the gyroscope .during the .uphill movement of the unbalanced member 20. VNow, since gyroscopic pre- -cession is in a direction degrees from the direction ofthe .applied force ,and inthe direction of .rotation .of the rotor, the tilt is corrected by .pre-

cession of the spin axisto itsvertical position and the vessel l1 to its horizontal position'by this net precessing force. Upon the return of the vessel to its horizontal position and the spin axis to its predetermined position, the unbalanced member 20 again takes up its uniform and constant rate of rotation and the uphill and downhill travels are eliminated.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that herein is provided a resilient driving means operable to rotate a member at different rates of speed within single revolutions While the driving element is maintained at a constant rate of speed. Moreover, tre need for adjusting worn or impaired surfaces of frictional driving elements is totally eliminated. It will also be apparent that means are provided for applying a constant drag or resistance to the rotative movement without periodic adjustments of retarding elements. Moreover, replacement of parts damaged by heat and Wear caused by the engagement of conventional frictonal drag and driving elements is totally eliminated.

As it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the improved device appertains that numerous changes and widely different embodiments of the invention may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that the embodiment shown and the description thereof shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Reference is therefore to be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a gyroscope apparatus, the combination with a universally mounted rotatable member having a predetermined axis of spin, of means for returning said axis to its predetermined position upon a departure therefrom, said means comprising a rotatable body, fluid friction means for driving said body at a constant speed when said spin axis is in its predetermined position, said fluid friction means for driving said body comprising a member positioned within said rotatable body and connected to be driven at the same rate as said rotatable member, said body being unbalanced to provide for retardation of its rotational movement due to gravitational force when said spin axis departs from its predetermined position and thereby apply a net precessing force to said apparatus causing it to precess toward said predetermined spin axis position.`

2. In a gyroscope apparatus, the combination with a universally mounted rotatable member positioned on a shaft and having a predetermined axis of spin, of means for returning said axis to its predetermined position upon a departure therefrom, said means comprising an unbalanced rotatable body .positioned concentrically of said shaft and movable independently thereof, a liquid receiving recess formed in said body, a driving member secured to said shaft and rotatable within said recess, liquid means within said recess for transmitting rotative force from said driving member to said rotatable body, and means for retarding the rotational movement of said body, said liquid and retarding means being operable to rotate said unbalanced body at an irregular rate during single revolutions thereof when the rotatable member departs from its predetermined spin axis whereby said member is caused to precess to its predetermined position.

3. In a gyroscope apparatus, the combination with a universally mounted rotatable member positioned on a shaft and having a predetermined axis of spin, of means for returning said axis to its predeterminedposition upon a departure therefrom, said means comprising an un- 6 balanced rotatable body positioned concentrically of said shaft and movable independently thereof, a liquid receiving reces-s formed in said bod-y, a driving member secured to said shaft and rotatable Within said recess, liquid means within said recess for transmitting rotative force from said driving member to said rotatable body, means fixed to said body within said recess to assist in the transmission of said rotative force, said liquid and xed means being operable to cause movement of said unbalanced body at irregular rates during single revolutions of said unbalanced body when said rotatable member departs from its predetermined axis of spin whereby said member is caused to precess to its predetermined position, and means for controlling the rate of movement of said rotatable body.

4. In a gyroscope having a predetermined axis of spin, means for returning said axis to its predetermined position upon a departure therefrom, said means comprising. an unbalanced member, and uid friction means including an impeller activated by the operation of said gyroscope for driving said unbalanced member at a constant rate when said axis is in its predetermined position and for operating said unbalanced member at an irregular rate upon departure of said axis from its predetermined position to cause said gyroscope to precess to its predetermined axis of spin.

5. In a gyroscope, means for maintaining the spin axis of said gyroscope .in a predetermined position, said means comprising an unbalanced member having a recess formed therein and fluid friction means positioned in said recess for driving said unbalanced member, said ii-uid friction means including a body of viscous liquid in said recess, said fluid friction means being operable to rotate said unbalanced member at a constant rate When said axis is in its predetermined position and to rotate said :member at an irregular rate upon departure of said axis from its predetermined position whereby precession causes said spin axis to return to its predetermined position.

6. In a gyroscope erecting means for maintaining the spin axis of said gyroscope in a predetermined position and comprising, an unbalanced member journaled for rotation about a pivot and having a recess formed therein, driving means including an impeller extending into said recess, abutment means on said unbalanced member positioned Within said recess, and a liquid medi-um housed Within said recess and engaging said impeller and said abutment means, said impeller and said abutment means being so arranged that liquid activated by said impeller is driven against said abutment means to cause rotation of said journaled member.

7. A gyroscope erecting means for maintaining the spin axis of said gyroscope in a predetermined position, comprising, a mass journaled for rotation about a pivot aligned with said spin axis, said mass being distributed to provide a greater Weight on one side of said pivot than on the opposed side thereof, said mass having a recess formed therein, driving means extending into said recess, abutment means positioned within said recess and attached to said mass and a liquid medium housed Within said recess and engaging said driving -means and said abutment means, said driving means and said abutment means being so disposed `that liquid activated by said drive means is driven against said abutment means to cause'rotation of said journaled mass.

8. A gyroscope erectingmeans,,comprisingan unbalanced mass rotatable about apivot, iiuid friction drive means including an impeller for causing rotation of said mass at a uniform rate When the spin axis of said gyroscope is ina predetermined position and for causing rotationof said mass at an irregular rate when the spin axis of said gyroscope departs .from said predetermined position, and means yieldably resisting the rotational movement of said mass.

9. A gyroscope apparatus comprising the combination with a universally mounted mass positioned on a shaft and having a predetermined axis of spin of means for returning said axis to its predetermined position upon a departure therefrom, said means including a fiat circular vessel having a flanged peripheral surface and being centrally apertured to receive said shaft, a circular member having a kerfed peripheral surface nested Withinsaid vessel and being provided with a central aperture through which said shaft extends, said circular member being rotationally movable relative to said shaft and said vessel, a liquid receiving circular recess formed in said circular member `eccentrically thereof, an impeller member fixed toa portion of said shaft within said recess and rotatable with said shaft, abutment means positioned within said recess and fixed to said circular member, a body of liquid in said vessel and said recess, and closure means for hermetically sealing the interior of said vessel.

10. In a, gyroscope erecting apparatus comprising in combination, a shaft, a cylindrical vessel having an open end and a closed end, the closed end of said vessel having a centrally disposed aperture through which said shaft extends, a circular member having a central aperture through which said shaft extends positioned within said vessel, said circular member having a circular recess formed eccentrically therein, an impeller member fixed to said shaft and rotatable within said recess upon rotation of said shaft, abutment means positioned within said recess and fixed to said circular member, a body of liquid positioned within said recess and said vessel, said impeller, said abutment means and said body of liquid being disposed to provide a drivingconnection between said shaft and said circular member, and closure means for sealing the open end of said cylindrical member.

1l. In a gyroscope erecting apparatus, a vessel having an aperture therein, a centrally apertured member positioned within said vessel with said apertures in alignment, said centrally apertured member having a liquid receiving recess formed therein eccentrically of the aperture in said member, abutment means fixed to said apertured member within said recess, a shaft extending through said aligned apertures and terminating Within said recess, an impeller carried by said shaft, a quantity of liquid positioned Within said vessel and the recess of said centrally tapertured member, said impeller said liquid'in said recess and said abutment means being arranged to provide a driving connection between said shaft and said centrally apertured member whereby said member may be rotated about an axis formed by said shaft, the liquid in said vessel functioning to retard by engagement with the peripheral surface of said centrally apertured member, and closure means for sealing said vessel.

12. In a gyroscope erecting device, in'combination: a vessel; a first member mounted'for rotation in said vessel and includinga recess; a second member mounted for rotation in said recess about the axis of rotation of said rst member; means including a viscous fluid in said recess for causing rotation of said rst member on rotation of said second member; and means including a viscous fluid in said vessel for opposing rotation of said first member, so that said rst member may normally rotate at a constant speed.

13. Ina gyroscope erecting device, in combination: a vessel; a rst member mounted for rotation in said vessel and including a recess; a ,second member mounted for rotation in said recess 'about the axis of rotation of said first member; means including a viscous fluid in said `recess for causing rotation vof said first member i on rotation of said second member; and means including a viscous fluid in said vessel for opposing rotation of said rst member so that said first member may normally rotate at :a constant speed; said recess being eccentric of said axis, so that' if said axis is not vertical' the angular velocity of said first member varies at various rotated positions of said first member.

14. In a gyro erecting device, in combination: a vessel; a rst member mounted for rotation in said vessel and including a recess; a second member mounted for rotation in said recess about the axis of rotation of said-first member; means including a viscous fluid in said recess for causing rotation of said rst member onrotation of said second mein-ber; means including a viscous fluid in said vessel for opposing rotation of said rst member `so that said first member may normally rotate at a constant speed, said recess being eccentric of said axis, so that if said axis is not vertical the angular velocity of said first member varies at various rotated posi-tions of said first member; and means mounting said vessel for rotary movement about axes normal to said rst named axis, so that when said first axis is vertical the average torque produced by said first member about each .of said axes is Zero, while when said axis isnot vertical said average torque has a value other `than zero, due to the variations `in said angular velocity of said first member.

15. in a device ofthe class described, in combination, a lnormally energized gyroscope having a normally vertical spin axis, gravity responsive means for changing the attitude of said axis with respect to the vertical, and fluid friction means drivingly coupling said gravity responsive means and said gyroscope to provide an erecting force to said gyroscope When its spin axis .departs from said normal vertical attitude.

FRED P. STROTHER.

REFERENCES .CITED i The following references are of record in the leof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re..20,701 Gilmor Apr. 19, 1938 41,311,768 Gray et al.` .July 29, 1919 1,751,110 Sperling Mar. 18, 1930 1,975,740 Brown Oct. 2, 1934 2,133,793 Ansco'tt et ai Oct. 18, 1938 2,159,118 Alkan May 23, 1939 2,300,548 Hamilton Nov. 3, 1942 2,314,343 Caster Mar. 23, 1943 :2,345,915 'Carlson Apr. 4, 1944

Images